‘Who used CM Bhagwant Mann’s chopper?’ RTI activist Manik Goyal, 9 others booked for social media posts with ‘distorted assertions’

The case was filed on the complaint of Inspector Satbir Singh under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 353 (1) [making, publishing or circulating any statement, false information, rumour, or report, including through electronic means], 353 (2) [spreading false statements, rumors, or alarming news with intent to incite hatred or enmity between groups based on religion, race, etc], and 61 (2) [criminal conspiracy].

Vaibhav Sehgal, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cybercrime), Ludhiana Police, said, “The probe in the matter is ongoing, and the FIR has been registered after preliminary investigation into the social media posts uploaded by the accused persons.”

Erroneous interpretation of flight-tracking data, claims FIR

According to the FIR, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, Inspector Satbir Singh, in his statement, said that “social media monitoring cell flagged several Facebook accounts which circulated objectionable posts”.

“A preliminary examination of the uploaded contents reveals that it comprises distorted, unverified and patently incorrect assertions pertaining to the deployment and utilisation of a helicopter allegedly associated with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab. The content is predicted upon erroneous and interpretation of flight-tracking data, selective presentation of extraneous visuals and insinuatory remarks bereft of factual foundation, thereby constructing a false, misleading and deliberately fabricated narrative,” reads the FIR.

“The aforesaid posts seek to create an impression that the helicopter in question was allegedly engaged in unauthorised or suspicious activities during the period when Honourable CM was on an official foreign visit,” it adds.

The FIR states that these insinuations are unfounded and contradict official records. The Civil Aviation Department of Punjab stated that the helicopter in question was utilised by an individual holding a constitutional office, and the person was duly authorised and empowered to use the aircraft for official purposes on the specified dates, it says.

“The pervasive circulation of this misleading material further poses a substantive risk of undermining institutional integrity, engendering social polarisation, and catalysing the spread of additional unverified narratives, thereby affecting public order and administrative harmony in the sensitive border state of Punjab,” adds the FIR.

The FIR further states, “Prima facie, the actions of accused persons constitute a cognisable offence.. The genuineness, accuracy and provenance of the impugned content shall be comprehensively examined during the investigation.”

Govt has given us a New Year gift: Manik Goyal

Reacting to the FIR, Mansa-based Manik Goyal said, “We have received a New Year gift from the Punjab government, a false FIR against me and others. We have been booked because we simply questioned who was using CM’s official chopper in his absence. It has been four years since the AAP government has not been replying to the RTIs related to the CM’s chopper, and if we ask on social media, then they register fake FIRs.”

“Earlier, we were also intimidated when we had asked some questions on tenders worth crores for buying an aircraft. What is there to hide regarding this helicopter and aircraft that the government is so scared to talk about? This is the same AAP government that used to talk about freedom of speech and expression and the right to dissent. Today, they are registering FIRs for asking questions,” he said.

Protest in Chandigarh on Jan 4

All the accused later posted a joint statement on their respective social media handles. “Our only crime is that we questioned the government…Arrest us whenever you want… Our right to speak and question should be protected, right to question the government should remain alive, there should be no silver chain tied to the feet of the pen…The government should not be under the illusion that people of Punjab will stop asking questions. Power doesn’t last forever,” they wrote.

The accused said they will lead a protest on January 4 in Chandigarh. Meanwhile, the Opposition parties hit out at the government over the FIRs.

BJP state president Sunil Jakhar, in a post on X, asked Mann to “not turn democracy into a police state”. He said by getting cases registered against journalists and social media influencers, the government was snatching away the people’s right to question.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said CM Mann and AAP “have unleashed repression against independent journalists and activists”.

State Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring condemned the FIR and said the AAP government “seems to have forgotten that Punjabis can’t be silenced”.